A fastener that includes a shaft and a sleeve is provided. The shaft extends along a longitudinal axis that passes through a central portion, e.g., the centroid of a head of the shaft. The sleeve is wrapped partially around the shaft. The sleeve has a gap that separates first and second circumferential extents thereof, a first thickness adjacent the first circumferential extent, and a second thickness between the second circumferential extent and the first circumferential extent. The first thickness is less than the second thickness. The sleeve has a first rotational position relative to the shaft and a second rotational position relative to the shaft different form the first rotational position. The longitudinal axis is in substantially the same location in both the first and second rotational positions.
|
1. A fastener, comprising:
a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis passing through a cross-sectional centroid of the shaft; and
a sleeve wrapped partially around the shaft, the sleeve comprising an inner surface adjacent the shaft, an outer surface, an upper extent, a lower extent, a first circumferential extent, a second circumferential extent, and a gap extending longitudinally from the upper extent to the lower extent and separating the first circumferential extent from the second circumferential extent,
the sleeve having a first thickness adjacent the first circumferential extent and a second thickness between the second circumferential extent and the first circumferential extent, the first thickness being less than the second thickness;
wherein the sleeve has a first rotational position relative to the shaft and a second rotational position relative to the shaft different from the first rotational position,
wherein the longitudinal axis is in substantially the same location in both the first and second rotational positions, and
further comprising at least one rib extending about the shaft,
wherein the at least one rib comprises a helical rib having a pitch angle of 5 degrees or less.
3. A fastener, comprising:
a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis passing through a cross-sectional centroid of the shaft; and
a sleeve wrapped partially around the shaft, the sleeve comprising an inner surface adjacent the shaft, an outer surface, an upper extent, a lower extent, a first circumferential extent, a second circumferential extent, and a gap extending longitudinally from the upper extent to the lower extent and separating the first circumferential extent from the second circumferential extent,
the sleeve having a first thickness adjacent the first circumferential extent and a second thickness between the second circumferential extent and the first circumferential extent, the first thickness being less than the second thickness;
wherein the sleeve has a first rotational position relative to the shaft and a second rotational position relative to the shaft different from the first rotational position,
wherein the longitudinal axis is in substantially the same location in both the first and second rotational positions, and
wherein the sleeve comprises an inner diameter and increases in thickness by about 0.3 times the inner diameter or less per radian between the second extent and the first extent.
2. A fastener, comprising:
a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis passing through a cross-sectional centroid of the shaft; and
a sleeve wrapped partially around the shaft, the sleeve comprising an inner surface adjacent the shaft, an outer surface, an upper extent, a lower extent, a first circumferential extent, a second circumferential extent, and a gap extending longitudinally from the upper extent to the lower extent and separating the first circumferential extent from the second circumferential extent,
the sleeve having a first thickness adjacent the first circumferential extent and a second thickness between the second circumferential extent and the first circumferential extent, the first thickness being less than the second thickness;
wherein the sleeve has a first rotational position relative to the shaft and a second rotational position relative to the shaft different from the first rotational position,
wherein the longitudinal axis is in substantially the same location in both the first and second rotational positions, and
wherein the sleeve has an angle between the inside surface and the outside surface of about 8 degrees or less, the angle being defined between a tangent to the inside surface and a tangent to the outside surface.
|
1. Field of the Invention
This application relates to fasteners that can be used to couple structures together, which fasteners can include a sleeve wrapped partially around a shaft.
2. Description of the Related Art
A variety of fasteners have been used to couple two components together. For example, screws and adhesives have been used in disk drives to connect a cover to a base. Although screws can be used to connect a cover and a base of a disk drive together they have several disadvantages. For example, screws take significant time to install because they generally require many revolutions to engage a first set of threads with a second set of threads. Sufficient engagement of mating threads can require three or more revolutions of the screw. In high-volume manufacturing, where assembly time should be minimized, this procedure can take too much assembly time, especially where several screws are used to connect the cover and base of a disk drive. Also, coupling using mating metal screw threads is a process that can generate small metal particles that can interfere with the operation of the disk drive if such particles are introduced into the inside of the drive.
In one aspect, a fastener is provided that includes a shaft and a sleeve. The shaft extends along a longitudinal axis that passes through a cross-sectional centroid of the shaft. The sleeve is wrapped partially around the shaft. The sleeve comprises an inner surface adjacent the shaft, an outer surface, an upper extent, and a lower extent. The sleeve also comprises a first circumferential extent, a second circumferential extent, and a gap. The gap extends longitudinally from the upper extent to the lower extent and separates the first circumferential extent from the second circumferential extent. The sleeve has a first thickness adjacent the first circumferential extent and a second thickness between the second circumferential extent and the first circumferential extent. The first thickness is less than the second thickness. The sleeve has a first rotational position relative to the shaft and a second rotational position relative to the shaft different form the first rotational position. The longitudinal axis is in substantially the same location in both the first and second rotational positions.
As discussed above, this application is directed to inventive fasteners. In various embodiments, the fasteners include one or more wedge-like members, which can be configured as a sleeve. These wedge-like members can be wrapped partially around a shaft of the fastener. Although the fasteners described herein are generally applicable, e.g., in environments where minimizing particle generation or assembly time is desirable, one non-limiting environment in which the fastener can be used is a disk drive. Another suitable environment is a computer or other user device in which the fasteners described herein can be used to secure components, such as a disk drive, to a rail, flange, or other mounting structure.
The shaft 104 extends along a longitudinal axis 112 that passes through a central portion C of the shaft 104. The central portion C of the shaft can be the cross-sectional centroid thereof if the shaft is circular in cross-section. Where the shaft 104 is not circular, e.g., having a raised helical surface, the central portion C can be projection of the centroid of a head portion thereof. In embodiments with non-round shafts, the longitudinal axis can be one that passes through this centroid of a head portion of the fastener. The central portion C includes a point about which the shaft 104 rotates in some embodiments.
As discussed further below, the shaft 104 and the sleeve 108 are moveable relative to each other, e.g., between first and second rotational positions, and such movement enables the fastener 100 to couple two structures or objects together. Preferably, the fastener 100 is arranged such that the location of the longitudinal axis 112 remains substantially the same in at least two different rotation positions of the shaft 104 and the sleeve 108.
In one embodiment, the shaft 104 comprises a shaft outside surface 114 that includes a raised helix 116, which can be seen in the transverse cross-section of
With continued reference to
With reference to
In this embodiment, the shaft 104 includes three ribs 162. In one embodiment, the ribs 162 begin near the first end 120 of the raised helix 116 and extend around the raised helix 116 towards the second end 124. As the ribs 162 extend around the raised helix 116, the ribs preferably extend upwards along the shaft 104 so as to provide a pitch angle therebetween. Any suitable pitch angle can be provided on the ribs 162, such as, for example, approximately five degrees. Although the ribs 162 of the fastener 100 comprise a pitch angle of approximately five degrees, any other suitable pitch angle, including a pitch angle of zero degrees, and other numbers of ribs 162 may be employed. In one modified embodiment, the shaft includes at least one rib that does not comprise a pitch angle. The at least one rib can extend around the raised helix 116 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 112. In one arrangement, substantially all points of a central portion of the at least one rib can be located a substantially constant longitudinal distance from the flange 156. In another modified embodiment, the shaft 104 is provided with one or more ribs that have little or no pitch angle and one or more ribs that have a pitch angle, similar to those described above. By providing at least some of the ribs with a pitch angle, some axial force can be generated from the engagement of the ribs, as discussed further below.
In one embodiment, the increase in thickness between the first and second circumferential extents 172, 174 provides a wedge-like arrangement. The wedge-like arrangement can comprise an angle between the inside surface and the outside surfaces 164, 166 of about 8 degrees or less. The wedge angle can be defined between a tangent to the inside surface and a tangent to the outside surface as shown by angle θ in
The sleeve 108 further includes a gap 176 defined between the first circumferential extent 172 and the second circumferential extent 174. The gap 176 can extend longitudinally from the upper extent 168 to the lower extent 170 and can separate the first circumferential extent 172 from the second circumferential extent 174. In one embodiment, the gap 176 extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 112 of the fastener 100. In one arrangement, the cross-section of the sleeve 108, as shown in
The length of the sleeve 108 extending from the upper extent 168 to the lower extent 170 is preferably sized to be slightly shorter than the distance from the upper shoulder 146 to the lower shoulder 148 of the shaft 104. The length of the sleeve 108 is configured so that the sleeve 108 can at least partially reside in the recess 140 defined by the shaft 104. Furthermore, the length of the sleeve 108 is preferably sized so that the sleeve 108 can move axially along the shaft 104.
With continued reference to
Before insertion of the fastener 100 into a hole, the sleeve 108 is preferably positioned along the shaft 104 in such a way as the second circumferential extent 174 of the sleeve 108 is positioned adjacent to the shoulder 136 of the shaft 104. Furthermore, the sleeve 108 resides at least partially in the recess 140 defined by the shaft 104. Upon insertion of the fastener 100 into a hole, the outer surface 166 of the sleeve 108 preferably comes into frictional contact with the side wall of the hole. At this time, the shaft 104 can be rotated, e.g., in a clockwise direction, about a longitudinal axis 112 of the fastener 100, thus rotating the shaft 104 clockwise relative to both the hole and the sleeve 108. This motion preferably coincides with a frictional engagement of the sleeve 108 with the hole into which the fastener 100 is inserted. As the shaft 104 rotates clockwise relative to both the sleeve 108 and the hole, the surface of the helix 116 preferably slides along the inner surface 164 of the sleeve 108. Furthermore, as the shaft 104 rotates in a clockwise direction. The shoulder 136 of the shaft 104 is moved away from the second circumferential extent 174 of the sleeve 108. This movement expands the sleeve 104 and increases the circumferential perimeter of the sleeve 108. This engagement could be accomplished by a counter-clockwise motion in some embodiments.
As the fastener 100 is rotated to secure the fastener to a hole, the ribs 162 located on a surface of the helix 116 of the shaft 104 preferably engage with the inner surface 164 of the sleeve 108. Engagement of the ribs 162 with the inner surface of the sleeve 164 can minimize axial motion of the shaft 104 relative to the sleeve 108. Furthermore, where a pitch angle is provided for the ribs 162, the fastener 100 can be tightened axially onto a work piece, e.g., by moving the shaft 104 axially downwards relative to the sleeve 108 and work piece.
With reference to
The sleeves 108A-C operate slightly differently than the sleeves 108 of
The sleeves 108A-108C function differently than the sleeve 108 in that in use the sleeves 108A-108C generally increase in a circumferential dimension at a greater rate as compared to the sleeve 108. For example, the circumferential distance around the sleeves 108A-108C increase more per amount of rotation of a shaft with which they are associated compared to the increase in circumferential distance around the sleeve 108, if the thickest portion of the sleeve 108 is approximately equal to the thickest portion of the sleeves 108A-108C.
One possible advantage of the sleeve 108 over the sleeves 108A-108C is that larger manufacturing tolerances may be accommodated in the sleeve 108. Furthermore, the fastener 100 may tighten more securely into a hole as compared to a fastener incorporating the sleeves 108A-108C. More secure tightening can be provided because the circumferential distance around the sleeve 108 can increase more slowly per unit of rotation of the shaft 104 compared to that of the sleeves 108A-108C. Also, more secure tightening can be provided because the angle between the inner and outer surfaces of the sleeve 108 may be smaller than the angle defined by the corresponding surfaces on the sleeves 108A-108C.
Some features of the fastener 220 are similar to those of the fastener 100. For example, the fastener 220 includes a head portion 152 that includes a flange 156, a shoulder 158, and a tool recess 154. As described above, the flange 156 is configured to secure two work pieces or components, such as a cover and a base or a disk drive enclosure and a mounting structure of a user device, together when the fastener 220 is applied thereto.
The shaft 222 comprises a generally circular cross-section, as shown in
The shaft 222 further comprises a conical tip 160, which is configured to aid in locating the fastener 220 relative to a hole in a work piece. Although a conical tip 160 is shown on the bottom portion of the shaft 222, any suitable end portion can be used including a blunt cylindrical tip.
With continued reference to
The outer sleeve 226 is similar to the inner sleeve 224. The outer sleeve 226 extends from an upper extent 250 to a lower extent 252 and from a first circumferential extent 254 to a second circumferential extent 256. The first circumferential extent 254 and the second circumferential extent 256 define a gap 255 which extends longitudinally along the outer sleeve 266. The thickness of the outer sleeve 226 preferably increases from the first circumferential extent 254 to the second circumferential extent 256, providing a generally wedge-shaped configuration. The outer sleeve 226 further defines an inner surface 258 and an outer surface 260.
In some embodiments, the thickness of the first circumferential extent 242 of the inner sleeve 224 and that of the first circumferential extent 254 of the outer sleeve 226 are substantially similar. The thickness of the second circumferential extent 244 of the inner sleeve 224 can be substantially similar to the thickness of the second circumferential extent 256 of the outer sleeve 226. In some embodiments, the rate of increase in thickness between the first and second circumferential extents of the sleeves 224, 226 is substantially similar. That is, the wedge shape defined by the inner sleeve 224 is substantially similar to the wedge shape of the outer sleeve 226. This arrangement enables the fastener 220 to move between a first rotational position corresponding to insertion of the fastener 220 into a work piece and a second rotational position corresponding to secure engagement of the fastener 220 with the work piece with the longitudinal axis 221 remaining in substantially the same location. In one arrangement, at least one of the inner and outer sleeves 224, 226 have a wedge angle selected to provide secure engagement between the fastener 220 and at least one, e.g., a plurality of objects or structures. In one embodiment, at least one of the sleeves 224, 226 have a wedge angle of about 8 degrees or less. In one arrangement, at least one, e.g., both, of the inner and outer sleeves 224, 226 increase in thickness by about 0.3 times the inner diameter thereof or less per radian between the first and second circumferential extents thereof.
The fastener 220 can be configured such that when it is assembled, the inner sleeve 224 resides at least partially in the recess 232. The fastener 220 can be configured such that the outer sleeve 226 is disposed over the inner sleeve 224. In some embodiments that the gap 245 of the sleeve 224 and the gap 255 of the sleeve 226 overlap at least in an arrangement of the fastener 220 that facilitates insertion thereof into a work piece. In some embodiments, when the fastener 220 is assembled, the sleeve 224 is arranged so that the thicker portion thereof adjacent to the circumferential extent 244 is located generally under the circumferential extent 254 of the sleeve 226. The thicker portion of the sleeve 224 can be disposed radially between the circumferential extent 254 of the sleeve 226 and the longitudinal axis 221. In some cases, the fastener 220 is configured such that the thinner portion of the sleeve 224 adjacent to the circumferential extent 242, is generally disposed between the thicker portion of the sleeve 226. When assembled, the sleeves 224, 226 are arranged such that the sleeve 224 increases in thickness in a counterclockwise direction and the sleeve 226 increases in thickness in a clockwise direction as viewed in
In use, the fastener 220 can be inserted into a hole or recess with the inner sleeve 224 and the outer sleeve 226 in the first rotational position, which corresponds to a low profile configuration. The shaft 222 can be rotated thereafter such that it frictionally engages and rotates the inner sleeve 224 relative to the outer sleeve 226. During this rotation engagement, the outer surface 260 of the outer sleeve 226 frictionally engages with a surface located in the hole or recess in the work piece. The outer surface 248 of the inner sleeve 224 can be configured to slide along the inner surface 258 of the outer sleeve 226. That is, the outer sleeve 226 is substantially rotationally secured by frictional engagement within the hole or recess of a work piece and the inner sleeve 224 is rotated relative to the outer sleeve 226 by frictional engagement with the shaft 222. When the inner sleeve 224 rotates relative to the outer sleeve 226, e.g., as a result of clockwise rotation of the shaft 222, a circumferential dimension of or perimeter around the inner sleeve 224 and the outer sleeve 226 and the shaft 222, preferably increases relative to a rotational position corresponding to rotation of the fastener 220 to secure the fastener. This general increase in size of the fastener 220 enhances engagement with the hole or recess in the work piece.
Although the fastener 220 has been shown to use friction to engage the shaft 222 with the sleeve 224, another approach to provide engagement employs a longitudinal rib 228 such as that shown in the fastener 220′ of
With reference to
As discussed above, the fastener 100 can be configured to prevent the cover 280 from lifting away from the base 282, e.g., under the spring-like force of a compressed gasket positioned therebetween. For example, the head portion 152 can be made larger than the hole 290 in the cover 280. Also, as discussed above, ribs can be provided on the fastener 100 to provide some axial force when the fastener is applied.
Although the environments shown in
The various devices, methods and techniques described above provide a number of examples of ways to carry out the invention. It is to be understood that not necessarily all objectives or advantages described may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment described herein. Also, although the invention has been disclosed in the context of certain example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Accordingly, the invention is not intended to be limited by the specific disclosures of preferred embodiments described herein.
Larson, Nils E., Garbarino, Jonathan M., Liebman, Michael K.
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
10315558, | May 24 2010 | Burton Technologies, LLC | Locking position stud fastener for a vehicle lamp assembly |
10390860, | May 28 2014 | CHAP-MED, INC | Internal pedicle insulator |
11134989, | May 28 2014 | CHAP-MED, INC. | Internal pedicle shield |
11540920, | Oct 17 2019 | CHAP-MED, INC. | Internal pedicle insulator |
8870507, | Feb 06 2007 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Wedge based fastener |
8900236, | Apr 20 2004 | CHAP-MED, INC | Internal pedicle insulator implants assemblies and methods of use |
8908319, | Apr 18 2013 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Disk drive with slow acting desiccant |
8908325, | Mar 08 2013 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Threaded disk clamping element with step on disk contact surface |
8941952, | Jun 10 2014 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Disk drive head stack assembly having a flexible printed circuit with bond pads having reduced capacitance |
8970984, | Apr 29 2014 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Grooved cylindrical seal with increased radial clearance for reduced cost disk drive spindle |
8995094, | Feb 28 2014 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Disk drive head suspension with a dual dimple and a flexure tongue with a piezoelectric microactuator |
9007716, | Sep 24 2012 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Spindle motor magnet diameter increase above head plane |
9019657, | Mar 13 2013 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Coined VCM tab to limit cover deflection under pinch load |
9025284, | Feb 26 2014 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Disk drive with self sealing screw attachment of actuator pivot |
9036295, | Dec 20 2011 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Information storage device with a damping insert sheet between a housing bay and a disk drive |
9058851, | Jul 02 2014 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Information-storage device including an oxygen absorbing device |
9099131, | Mar 17 2010 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Suspension assembly having a microactuator electrically connected to a gold coating on a stainless steel surface |
9099153, | Apr 03 2013 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Storage device with a cover supporting portion |
9116066, | Apr 27 2012 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Devices and methods for system-level disk drive vibration and shock testing |
9123387, | Aug 21 2014 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Magnetic recording drives with active photocatalytic filtration |
9129639, | Nov 08 2012 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Method of imbalance correction using a grooved disk clamp |
9133871, | Apr 18 2011 | Hilti Aktiengesellschaft | Expansion plug |
9140285, | May 24 2010 | Burton Technologies, LLC | Quick turn fastener |
9147436, | Apr 25 2012 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Slim form factor disk drive comprising disk drive enclosure having an insular raised region |
9153262, | Mar 26 2015 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Disk drive actuator having a radially stepped pivot bore |
9159205, | Dec 18 2013 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Tamper-evident seals having adhesive-free areas to minimize rework time |
9165580, | Dec 10 2013 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Disk drive head suspension tail with stiffened edge alignment features |
9171560, | Sep 26 2014 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Sloping transition on a ramp of a hard disk drive |
9171583, | Mar 23 2015 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Disk drive having a top cover channel vented to a central cavity via a peripheral clearance gap |
9183889, | Mar 23 2015 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Disk drive having a top cover channel vented to a central cavity via a hole through a bottom land |
9190114, | Feb 09 2015 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Disk drive filter including fluorinated and non-fluorinated nanopourous organic framework materials |
9196275, | Mar 12 2014 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Magnetic head separator fin material to prevent particulate contamination on slider |
9196292, | Feb 05 2015 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Rotary spindle having a disk clamp bottom land facing and in contact with a shaft top land |
9196301, | Oct 14 2011 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Suspension clamp for clamping a disk drive suspension to an actuator arm |
9208825, | Aug 07 2013 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Disk drive having a conformal peripheral foil seal having an opening covered by a central metal cap |
9214174, | Oct 29 2010 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Method of manufacturing a disk drive head gimbal assembly having a flexure tail with folded bond pads |
9263070, | Nov 05 2014 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Actuator pivot assembly including a bonding adhesive barrier configured to reduce contamination |
9299384, | Aug 02 2012 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Ultra-thin HDD embedded disk clamp design |
9305599, | Apr 03 2013 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Storage device with a cover supporting portion |
9324344, | Dec 10 2013 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Disk drive head suspension tail with ground pad outside of bonding region |
9330695, | Dec 10 2013 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Disk drive head suspension tail with a noble metal layer disposed on a plurality of structural backing islands |
9379311, | Dec 09 2005 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Apparatus for manufacturing piezoelectric actuators |
9390736, | Mar 13 2014 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Magnetic head separator connected to a ramp |
9406333, | Nov 10 2015 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Disk drive having a stationary plate between disks with grooves adjacent fastener holes |
9472218, | Mar 17 2010 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Suspension assembly having a microactuator electrically connected to a gold coating on a stainless steel surface |
9472242, | Jun 05 2015 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Hard disk drive enclosure base with feed through flexure design and accompanying flexure |
9508393, | Jun 25 2015 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Hard disk drive enclosure base with a helium sealed gasket |
9514773, | Aug 20 2008 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Head stack assembly with a flexible printed circuit having a mouth centered between arms |
9524738, | Jun 25 2015 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Disk drive head gimbal assembly having a flexure tail with a dielectric layer that has regions of lesser thickness |
9530439, | Dec 10 2013 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Disk drive head suspension tail with stiffened edge alignment features |
9564156, | Jan 27 2016 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Head gimbal assembly having a flexure tail with cover layer standoff islands |
9610661, | May 24 2010 | Burton Technologies, LLC | Fastener for a vehicle lamp assembly |
9633680, | Oct 29 2010 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Head suspension having a flexure tail with a covered conductive layer and structural layer bond pads |
9662753, | Mar 10 2014 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Disk drive spindle with fluid journal bearing having increased radial clearance in axial end regions |
9881640, | Dec 10 2013 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Disk drive head suspension tail with a noble metal layer disposed on a plurality of structural backing islands |
9908167, | Mar 02 2015 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Disk drive tolerance ring with edge rounding from opposite major faces |
9953667, | Oct 29 2010 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Disk drive system |
9957996, | May 24 2010 | Burton Technologies, LLC | Quick turn fastener |
9993268, | May 28 2014 | CHAP-MED, INC | Internal pedicle insulator |
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
1835243, | |||
2060970, | |||
2368713, | |||
2499315, | |||
3076668, | |||
3117484, | |||
3202034, | |||
3217586, | |||
3273444, | |||
3298725, | |||
3373648, | |||
3515418, | |||
3550244, | |||
3603626, | |||
3770036, | |||
3913444, | |||
4029426, | May 07 1975 | Unisys Corporation | Tubular fastening system |
4243339, | Apr 09 1979 | Ford Motor Company | Adjustable kingpin assembly |
4338736, | Mar 16 1981 | CATERPILLAR INC , A CORP OF DE | Retaining pin assembly for earthworking tool |
4482277, | Feb 22 1982 | Hilti Aktiengesellschaft | Expansion anchor assembly |
4508467, | Mar 17 1983 | Telescopically extendable pole | |
4602902, | Jun 24 1981 | Hilti Aktiengesellschaft | Expansion dowel assembly |
4610589, | Sep 20 1977 | Tri-Bolt Fasteners ApS | Screw anchoring bushing for use in semihard materials |
4790683, | Oct 05 1987 | RAY ENGINEERING COMPANY, LIMITED, THE | Tolerance ring and shim and method of use |
5104141, | Mar 11 1991 | Northstar Manufacturing Company, Inc. | Alignment device for double eccentric CAM arrangement |
5170551, | Oct 24 1988 | OVAKO STEEL COUPLINGS AB A CORP OF SWEDEN | Alignment of shaft flanges |
5234300, | Sep 20 1990 | Fastening means | |
5284409, | Aug 20 1991 | Kabushiki Kaisha Miyanaga | Expansion anchor for engagement in a hole |
5356252, | Aug 06 1993 | S.B. Whistler & Sons, Inc. | Unitized expanding dowel |
5413441, | Jul 19 1993 | REX INDUSTRIAL CORP | Hybrid eccentric wedge anchor |
5539597, | Mar 18 1994 | Seagate Technology LLC | Press-fit glueless bearing pivot assembly for a rotary actuator |
5568675, | Mar 29 1994 | Nifco Inc. | Two-piece clip |
5761006, | Feb 18 1994 | International Business Machines Corporation | Direct access storage device having compound actuator bearing system |
5779260, | May 23 1995 | Method and apparatus for adjusting strut-type suspension systems | |
5828521, | Feb 29 1996 | Nittoku Engineering Kabushiki Kaisha; Nittoku Giken Kabushiki Kaisha | Arm unit for hard disk drive |
5867348, | Mar 17 1995 | Toshiba Storage Device Corporation | Disk drive actuator assembly with rotational imbalance compensation |
5894382, | Jan 05 1998 | BANKBOSTON, N A , AS AGENT | Head stack assembly for a disk drive having a plastic inner sleeve |
5907890, | Apr 23 1996 | UNIFOR S P A | Guiding device for sliding doors |
5919018, | Apr 21 1997 | Locking fastener | |
5999373, | Mar 31 1998 | Seagate Technology LLC | Bearing cartridge for a disc drive |
6018441, | Jun 08 1998 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Disk drive pivot bearing and actuator arm assembly |
6053655, | Jul 30 1998 | The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army | Fastener with cam engagement |
6128165, | Oct 24 1997 | Seagate Technology LLC | Actuator assembly attachment in a disc drive |
6288879, | Sep 25 1998 | Seagate Technology LLC | Top down assembly of a disk drive actuator using a tolerance ring and a post |
6333839, | Dec 03 1999 | Seagate Technology LLC | Tolerance ring with low consistent installation force profile |
6480363, | May 22 2000 | MARIANA HDD B V ; HITACHI GLOBAL STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES NETHERLANDS B V | Hard disk drive actuator assembly with damped tolerance ring for enhancing drive performance during structural resonance modes |
6519116, | Nov 30 2000 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Actuator arm assembly having bearing gap formed between bearing outer race and pivot sleeve for mitigating torque ripple on actuator arm in a disk drive |
6655847, | Oct 04 2000 | Minebea Co., Ltd. | Pivot bearing assembly |
6754046, | Sep 20 2001 | Seagate Technology LLC | Increased slip force pivot bearing |
6856491, | Nov 30 2001 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Pivot bearing cartridge including central pivot element and ball bearing set |
6856492, | Nov 03 2001 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Pivot bearing cartridge including central pivot element and ball bearing set |
6925715, | Dec 30 2002 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | Method for seating a removable bearing assembly in a rotary actuator assembly for a rotatable media data storage device |
6991413, | Jan 14 2004 | McCue Corporation | Drive anchor |
6997658, | Oct 20 2003 | Alignment pin and fastener with bi-directional clamping | |
7085108, | Sep 30 2002 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Disk drive including pivot-bearing cartridge tolerance ring having a damping layer for actuator resonance reduction |
7633722, | Sep 15 2006 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Disk drive actuator rotary bearing attachment with cam member |
20020003993, | |||
20020101688, | |||
20020118490, | |||
20020131844, | |||
20030053260, | |||
20040095683, | |||
20040170484, | |||
20050152766, |
Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Jan 29 2007 | LARSON, NILS E | Western Digital Technologies, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 018978 | /0846 | |
Jan 29 2007 | GARBARINO, JONATHAN M | Western Digital Technologies, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 018978 | /0846 | |
Jan 29 2007 | LIEBMAN, MICHAEL K | Western Digital Technologies, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 018978 | /0846 | |
Feb 06 2007 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
May 12 2016 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | U S BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT | SECURITY AGREEMENT | 038744 | /0281 | |
May 12 2016 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N A , AS COLLATERAL AGENT | SECURITY AGREEMENT | 038722 | /0229 | |
Feb 27 2018 | U S BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT | Western Digital Technologies, INC | RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 045501 | /0714 | |
Feb 03 2022 | JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N A | Western Digital Technologies, INC | RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL 038744 FRAME 0481 | 058982 | /0556 | |
Aug 18 2023 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N A | PATENT COLLATERAL AGREEMENT - A&R LOAN AGREEMENT | 064715 | /0001 | |
Aug 18 2023 | Western Digital Technologies, INC | JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N A | PATENT COLLATERAL AGREEMENT - DDTL LOAN AGREEMENT | 067045 | /0156 |
Date | Maintenance Fee Events |
Sep 12 2013 | M1551: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 4th Year, Large Entity. |
Sep 14 2017 | M1552: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 8th Year, Large Entity. |
Jun 23 2021 | M1553: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 12th Year, Large Entity. |
Date | Maintenance Schedule |
Mar 30 2013 | 4 years fee payment window open |
Sep 30 2013 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Mar 30 2014 | patent expiry (for year 4) |
Mar 30 2016 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4) |
Mar 30 2017 | 8 years fee payment window open |
Sep 30 2017 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Mar 30 2018 | patent expiry (for year 8) |
Mar 30 2020 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8) |
Mar 30 2021 | 12 years fee payment window open |
Sep 30 2021 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Mar 30 2022 | patent expiry (for year 12) |
Mar 30 2024 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12) |